Cotswold Riding for the Disabled Association has set up a coronavirus emergency fund and is appealing for help from businesses and individuals.

The charity has been forced to cease all riding activities but still has to cover all costs related to its 15-strong pony herd.

At full capacity, the charity supports more than 200 children, young people and adults living with mental or physical disabilities who benefit from spending time with horses.

Lessons and activities run by the charity's hundreds of volunteers from their base at Cheltenham Racecourse allows disabled participants to learn new skills, stay active, improve their confidence and build positive relationships with others.

Therapy sessions are a key part of the riding school's work, "Tea with a Pony" providing a unique experience for people living with dementia and other disabilities.

Two hundred new participants and their families took part in the activity last year and the charity was hoping to significantly increase this number in 2020.

But due to the coronavirus outbreak, the charity has been forced to close its doors and the future remains bleak.

General manager Claire Jenkins said: "We know what we do makes a real difference and changes lives.

"However, following Government and RDA UK advice, we have suspended all our activities until further notice.

"Closing has had a huge impact for us financially. We are fortunate to receive donations from a number of grants and trusts, but we also depend on the income we earn from lessons which is normally just over £2,000 per week."

She continued: "Our pony welfare is our top priority and be assured our small staff team is ensuring they are well cared for - but we still have the costs of hay, feed, farrier and, if necessary, vets bills to cover.

"We do have some financial reserves but with no clear idea of how long the crisis will last, we must try to raise additional funds to look after our horses for as long as it takes and make sure they, and we, are ready to open again as soon as we can."

Every pound helps - just £2 would provide hay for a pony for a day and £40 would provide a hoof trim or two new shoes.

To support the appeal or for more information, visit https://www.cotswoldrda.org.uk, or email Claire at claire@cotswoldrda.org.uk.